Light as a — graphene Powercat?

K-State researchers hold the Guinness World Record for the least dense 3-D printed structure. Graphene is a single atom-thick sheet of specially arranged carbon atoms, and it’s the world’s thinnest, strongest, and most conductive material. This means it can be used to make other things stronger or lighter — think airplanes or building materials — to help make mobile devices or their batteries perform better.

The revolutionary K-State 3-D printing method uses a modified inkjet printer to print droplets of a graphene oxide and water in a freezer to create an ice structure that is then freeze-dried to remove the ice. Gaining control over the shape of the graphene aerogel means K-State researchers have taken an important step in expanding possible applications of this amazing material.